Strong democracy needs trusted broadcasters, not pro-government ones – Shamima Muslim
By Love Wilhelmina Abanonave Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Shamima Muslim has emphasised the critical role of independent and credible broadcasting in sustaining Ghana’s democracy. Speaking at the Broadcasters Convention 2026, she said a strong democracy was not built on broadcasters who always agreed with the government, but on broadcasters who were trusted by both the public […]
Dame Shamima Muslim, the Deputy Presidential Spokesperson, highlighted the importance of unbiased and trustworthy broadcasters in maintaining Ghana's democracy during the Broadcasters Convention 2026. She stressed that a robust democracy must be founded on broadcasters who are respected by both the public and the government for their professional and impartial performance.
Muslim contended that trust in the media is a fundamental pillar of democratic governance; when citizens are confident in the media's fairness, accuracy, and balance, it fosters national unity and confidence in state institutions.
The government acknowledged the significant role broadcasters play in shaping public discourse, informing citizens, and holding power accountable, and vowed to foster an environment that promotes press freedom. Muslim emphasized that the present administration would not interfere with broadcasters' work but would continue to support an open media landscape that respects diverse views and professionalism.
She urged broadcasters to adhere to journalistic ethics, especially in an era of misinformation and disinformation proliferating due to the rise of new media platforms. Muslim cautioned that while freedom of expression is protected under Ghana's 1992 Constitution, it must be exercised responsibly to prevent societal polarization and maintain peace and stability.
She advocated for collaboration between the government and the media, clarifying that such a partnership should not be misconstrued as control but rather as a shared dedication to national development and democratic progress. Muslim praised the organizers of the Broadcasters Convention 2026 for facilitating dialogue among various industry stakeholders, including broadcasters, media owners, regulators, policymakers, civil society organizations, and development partners.
The 2026 convention, themed around reinforcing public trust in broadcasting and reaffirming the media's role as the fourth estate in Ghana's democratic journey, gathered experts to discuss emerging trends, challenges, and opportunities in the broadcasting sector, including regulation, digital transformation, content development, and media sustainability.
Written by urgent.news from GBC Ghana's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
